Tyler Bell headed to USA Baseball Training Camp

Kentucky freshman shortstop Tyler Bell‘s incredible first season of college baseball continues, as he has been invited to USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team Training Camp. He is the first ‘Cat to be invited since left-handed pitcher Zack Thompson in 2018.

Bell, who will be among the youngest players to participate, is now the ninth Kentucky player to ever be selected by USA Baseball. The entire list is below.

2025: SS Tyler Bell
2018: LHP Zack Thompson 
2016: 1B Evan White
2013: OF Austin Cousino
2012: OF Austin Cousino
1999: C John Wilson
1996: OF Chad Green
1989: SS Billy White
1986: RHP Tom Deller
1986: 2B Terry Shumpert

Bell, who was selected with the No. 66 pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2024 MLB Draft but did not sign, had one of the greatest freshman campaigns in Kentucky Baseball history this season. The Frankfort, IL native reached base in 49 of Kentucky’s 50 games and became the first freshman to hit double-digit home runs since 1993.

“He’s an amazing competitor first off,” Nick Mingione said about Bell following Kentucky’s 11-5 win over South Carolina earlier this season. “Just a gifted baseball player and he has awareness and feel. Man, has he played well. He’s come up with big hit after big hit and has played great defensively. But he works, he works. If you watch him pregame, it’s of the highest level. Because of that, he has confidence and he should.”

On March 31, Bell became just the second player of the Nick Mingione Era (2017-present) at Kentucky to be named SEC Freshman of the Week (previously just Travis Smith in 2023). Along with the Freshman All-SEC selection (first since Sean Hjelle in 2016), he also looks like a lock to be just Kentucky’s third Freshman All-American selection since 2017. There was one point where the program didn’t even know if he would make it to campus or not, and now he has blossomed into one of the most exciting players in all of College Baseball.

“It’s all about the preparation and taking on a bigger role,” Bell said earlier this season. “If I’m hitting the team’s hitting and just coming through in big spots for the team has been a lot of fun and we’re playing good.”

Heading into Regional play, Bell leads the team in doubles (17), RBI (46) and total bases (117). He is second on the team with a .306 batting average and 10 home runs and totaled four hits in a game TWICE this season. The future is extremely bright for the freshman, who will be back in action in NCAA Tournament Regional play.